When Steven and Scott Parker rented out Watson Drugs, their
1950s-era drugstore and soda fountain, to the Hollywood film
community, it was more than a favor. For this father-and-son team,
permitting Tom Hanks and his crew to film the 1996 movie That
Thing You Do! in their Orange, California, establishment was a
way to keep their business alive.

No strangers to filming, Steven, 43, and Scott, 60, had allowed
both TV and film to be shot within their vintage walls since Scott
purchased the store in the 1970s. "When [Hanks' crew]
filmed here, we were having a really hard time keeping our heads
above water," says Scott. The rental fee paid by the
production helped get Watson Drugs over the rough spot. More
important, the film drummed up sustained interest in the store and
the local community. Today, wide-eyed tourists regularly visit
Watson Drugs to the tune of more than $4 million in annual
sales.

Business owners may think filming means nothing but
inconvenience-noise, bright lights and parking restrictions or
street closures that drive customers away. But in reality, say
experts, filming usually injects major funds into a local economy.
When Planet of the Apes was filmed in the Ridgecrest,
California, area, it contributed $3.4 million to the region.

To minimize inconvenience, businesses should communicate with
film crews and local film commissions before filming starts, says
Kathleen A. Milnes, senior vice president at the Entertainment Industry
Development Corp. (EIDC) in Hollywood, California. When crews
want to film in the Los Angeles area, they first go to the EIDC,
which notifies the community and works to alleviate any
concerns.

What if Hollywood knocks on your door wanting to film in your
store? Do your homework, says Ray Arthur, director of the Ridgecrest Regional
Film Commission. Work out a deal to secure specifics like times
for crews to start and finish, with a payment schedule for overtime
and other contingencies. Local film commissions can help you cover
your bases and ensure the filming is a good experience.
"Here's a group of 100 to 200 people who, drop money on
the ground for a few days and leave," says Arthur. "You
couldn't ask for a better industry to come to your
town."